Hearing loss decisions — 2010

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claim, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA audiological examination.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a new audiological examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and conducting VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The reduction of the rating for hearing loss from 10 percent to 0 percent was set aside, and the original 10 percent rating is restored.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss is causally related to his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for higher disability evaluations was denied. His tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss were rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations, while his acquired psychiatric disorder did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD did not substantially and materially contribute to his death from myocardial infarction. The medical opinions were inconclusive, with some suggesting a possible link but others finding it speculative.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for extraschedular ratings for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, as well as his claim for a TDIU. The evidence did not show that these conditions rendered the regular schedular standards impractical due to marked interference with employment or frequent periods of hospitalization.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and right hand SFW residuals are all service-connected. The Veteran is granted an initial evaluation of 10 percent for his PTSD and a compensable evaluation for his right hand SFW residuals.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disorder, heart condition (atriial fibrillation), bilateral hearing loss, and loss of bone from the jaw are all service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a lack of sufficient medical evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus and his service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for hearing loss have been denied. The claim to reopen his right ear hearing loss was not granted due to lack of new and material evidence, while the left ear hearing loss claim did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his current hearing levels do not meet the criteria for any higher rating.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for tinnitus, hemicrania continua, and bilateral hearing loss disability were denied. The Board found that the assigned schedular ratings adequately reflected the severity of his disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, and a right ankle disability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and analysis.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are at least as likely as not related to his military service, with evidence of in-service noise exposure. The decision grants service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a bilateral leg disorder (knees) is denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have current hearing loss disability within the meaning of VA regulations, and there was no evidence of in-service or post-service hearing loss meeting these criteria.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of hearing impairment during or within one year after service. The claim for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and the issue regarding an increased rating for asbestosis prior to July 10, 2007 were not addressed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including translation of Spanish language documents and obtaining a VA examiner's opinion regarding the cause of any additional disability resulting from the September 1988 surgery.